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Uganda or Zanzibar

I realize this is a very difficult question, and I'm not expecting much here, but I thought I'd throw this out there and see what some of your thoughts are. We are heading to Rwanda for 2 days of Gorilla trekking, followed by safaris in Kenya and Tanzania (the Rwanda portion is the only part that is booked).

We are considering either going to Uganda for a few days (white water rafting the Nile, exploring the countryside, etc.) or going to Zanzibar for a few days. We might have time to do both, but it will be a tight squeeze. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on these 2 places. Is Zanzibar really that spectacular? On the one hand, I've read some amazing things (and the pictures look remarkable), but on the other hand I don't know if it is worth it to fly out there just for a beach.

Any thoughts? I realize these are 2 completely different places, but I can't make up my mind!

This is not a difficult question at all, from my standpoint. The first time I was in Uganda and in Zanzibar was in 1971. The next and most recent visit was in October, 2006. Although I was on business last fall and did not have time to visit the prime safari points of Uganda, I understand that Queen Victoria National Park and Murchison Falls are still wonderful destinations, as they were years ago. The Entebbe (Kampala) airport is new and functional now. Zanzibar town, as it used to be called, lately christened "Stone Town" by tour operators, is overbuilt and commercial, to my horror. I did not go to the beaches either in 1971 or 2006, since we in the USA have beautiful beaches, but no elephants in the wild. ZZ

You don't indicate when you're traveling. That could have some impact on whether "to beach" or not. During the hot months - late Nov thru Mar, it might be nice to stay at an air conditioned resort on a beach. In the cooler periods, Uganda may be just right. Of course if you choose the latter, visit here before heading to Kenya and Tanzania.

After posting this message, I think we have decided to skip Zanzibar and spend a few extra days in either Rwanda or Uganda. I think I really just wanted some justification for skipping ZNZ, Now I just need to decide where in Rwanda or Uganda! decision.... decisions...

Like Zambezi I too visited both these wonderful places many years ago. Uganda in 1972 and again in 1996. Zanzibar in 1991 and 1997.

I think it depends on what you expect from your travels, and how you like to go about it.

You say you are going on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. You will have "done" the gorillas too.

I have to ask how much of the "countryside" you think you will see in 2 days in Uganda?

If you had two weeks to just wander, and if the idea of travelling on the local buses and just being there appeals - no particular highlights, no "must sees" - then go to Uganda.

Otherwise - go to Zanzibar. The culture there is quite different from anything you will have seen already. And yes - there are some nice beaches. But how long will you have there? Two days?

I could say go to Bwejuu but it's probably changed - and maybe you wouldn't have liked it as it once was. What is it you expect?

But, honest, if you do only have two days, then forget beach. Just check out Stone Town (go wander) and take a spice tour. Zanzibar may now be touristy for all I know - but it can't possibly (can it?) have become one of those places where the demands of people who don't venture away from their accommodation except on a guided tour have killed the soul of the place.